Review of the Status of American and Caribbean Coots in the United States Virgin Islands

Breeding (and non-breeding) American (Fulica americana) and Caribbean (F. caribaea) coots are generally rare to uncommon in the United States Virgin Islands where they have a restricted distribution at some brackish and freshwater sites. Their sympatric range includes St. Croix, where coots are most numerous at brackish Southgate Pond, the preferred breeding site in the US Virgin Islands. Southgate Pond, a man-modified seasonal salt pond, has had the largest documented breeding colony (eight pairs) of any island in the eastern Caribbean (where coots are also generally rare and restricted to a few sites).

Douglas B. McNair, North American Birds 59:680-686.